Ronnie Moore aims to keep treasured youngster Davies

Aug 24 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE Rovers manager Ronnie Moore wants to hold on to the blossoming talent of Steve Davies – and keep the teenager’s feet anchored firmly on the ground at Prenton Park.

Davies’ early-season form has earned the left winger widespread praise and also attracted the gaze of other clubs.

Leeds United were this week reported to showing interest in the 19-year-old from south Liverpool.

Moore recognises the financial pressures that sometimes force clubs like Tranmere to part with their brightest prospects. But his priority is to keep Davies and try to ensure that all of the praise and attention of the last few days does not cause the youngster to lose his focus.

Moore said: “The big thing is we want Steve here. We want to try keep our young players at Prenton Park.

“You know what happens in football: people come in and make ridiculous bids for players.

“With the situation we are in with the finances here, we tend to have to sell one or two.

“But let’s talk about him staying here.”

Moore added: “Davo has a long way to go. He is a young lad who is learning. He started the season well and is getting lots of pats on the back. We have to make sure he handles that.

“I’ve seen young players have four or five decent games and all of a sudden they think they are God’s gift. It has happened before to a lot of players.

“But Steve comes from a good family so he will have his feet on the floor.

“I know his dad gave him one or two rollockings last season. With me rattling around his ear every day, he will come through it and become the player we think he can be.”

Moore believes Davies is developing into a more potent player by expanding the range of his attacking game while also gaining in confidence.

The manager said: “Davo is playing with more confidence. He was in and out of the side last season when Kevin Ellison was here.

“Now he realises the position is open – but only for a while. I’m still looking for someone who can put the pressure on Davo, although it is difficult to find a left-winger who is a naturally left-footed player.”

Moore added: “One of the improvements in Davo is game this season is that he is coming inside as well as going on the outside of defenders. Last season I thought he was a little bit predictable, going outside on his left foot all of the time. The defenders were beginning to read it.

“Now he is coming inside on his right foot – and he has a good right foot, as we saw with the goal he scored at Gillingham last Saturday.

“He is coming out of his shell in the dressing-room as well. A young lad who is not a regular in the team tends to be a bit quiet at halftime. I can see the change in him now. He is growing up and beginning to realise what the game is all about.

“He can go as high as he wants to in this game.”

Davies can expect to be named in an unchanged line-up for Tranmere’s encounter with Brighton at Prenton Park tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

Moore stood by his opening-day starting XI after Tranmere lost the first two games of the season and is unlikely to make an unforced change following the 2-0 win at Gillingham.

Rovers reported a clean bill of health among the senior players yesterday.

Goalkeeper Danny Coyne, who sat on the bench for Wales’ friendly international in Bulgaria on Wednesday, is due to train with his club teammates today for the first time this week.